BBC ComRes poll finds that 1/5 people would turn down same-sex wedding invitation

The poll found that 1/5 would turn down an invitation to a same-sex wedding

Less than a day before the first same-sex marriages are set to take place in England and Wales, the BBC has published a poll which claims 20% of people would turn down an invitation to a same-sex wedding.

The BBC 5 Live survey found that 20% of the 1,007 people asked would not accept an invitation to a same-sex wedding. Some have questioned why the results of the survey focus on the 20% that would turn down the invitation, rather than the 80% that would accept.

It also found that 68% were in favour of same-sex marriage with 26% against.

The research became a talking point during the Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster this morning during a debate between PinkNews founder Benjamin Cohen and Director of NI Evangelical Alliance Peter Lynas.

Mr Cohen asked why the published results of the poll focussed on the one in five who said they would turn down the invitation, saying the four out of five who would accept was a fairly positive response.

This response was echoed by Stonewall acting Chief Executive Ruth Hunt, who said the responses were “incredibly positive”, highlighting that a large majority would accept the invitation.

Coverage on BBC News also featured Catholic Voices, which said that the church felt “deeply uncomfortable” with the introduction of same-sex marriage.

During his debate, Mr Cohen pointed out that allowing same-sex marriage gives religious groups the option to perform same-sex marriages, as some have opted to , including Reform and Liberal Judaism, Quakers and Unitarians.